My Hair "Angie": Flex-It-Out Tutorial

I have to start making videos, as soon as I muster up the courage, but currently me and my camera will take you on whatever journeys Angie and I have. The details on this style was requested by a lovely lady on Instagram @hair_by_kia and I'm sorry I didn't take much more pictures but I will be as detailed as I can in this mini Flex It Out Tutorial.

The reason I coined it my Flex-It-Out tutorial is simple:
1. it sounds cool! I'm cool! Be like me!
2. only rods used were flexi-rods
3. I took them out - certainly no rocket science (i before e, except after c, had to make sure)

So for about 2 weeks I wore my hair semi straight. I washed it with my niece's 2 in 1 shampoo conditioner. Oiled it real well with Organix coconut oil serum, then flat twisted it so it could air dry and have some stretch.

 there's two bobby pins holding the ends of the twists securely on opposite sides; it's not pulled so tight it hurts but it was pulled so Angie didn't curl up at the ends.

A day or two later I took them out and flat ironed my hair (the name tag sticker on my phone; funny story...sex party lol) 

I'm not leaving any of these processes out because it's important to understand the texture of my hair at the time of this style.  (For those interested: I've been told I have 4/b hair - I don't follow that stuff up)       

Now down to the good stuff...after about 2 weeks, Angie and I got tired of that semi straight nonsense that was going on (it was never bone straight)

Soooooooo dreading wash day, I said my hair smelled good enough to go another week. LOL don't judge me. 

I cleared it out with my Denman (every naturalista new and old probably heard about this brush) I have two of them, the black red and white one seems to be much better than my all black but that's my opinion because it's like the grip changed and the bristles slide out of place more often with the black which is highly annoying.

  

I then moisturized again with the coconut oil serum (pictured further up), followed up with the shea moisture hibiscus smoothie I absolutely loveeeeeeeeee this. I've had a jar for about a year now and I still have a little less than half left because you don't need a lot of it, it's thick and smells delish. (side note) I've read on forums and comments that the formula has changed and it's not as good but I'll have to wait to see.

I wanted a lot of moisture because it did have direct heat from my flat iron and I wanted to make sure it didn't suffer from being wore out hair frequently. I used eco styler gelto set it. Eco styler is another natural favorite. 

Then I started sectioning - fairly large sections and added products to the sections; twisted and rolled on blue flexi rods straight to the scalp.

sorry for the bad photos

The next morning I took out the rods undid the twists and fluffed AND..

...here was the look

Hair Trials - Flexi Rods Fail

So I gave you the account of my failed flexi rod experience but here's WHAT NOT TO DO, exactly how I did it.

Skip pass the wash and detangle bit 

Ok you're where I need you to be....

1. on slightly damp hair, section and smooth on Organix's Coconut Milk (like an oil) I did section by section...fairly small but as it got later who knows what amount hair I was grabbing.
2. smooth on Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie 
3. on flexi rods I used the blue and orange...tightly wrap your hair being sure to secure the ends. You'll look like Medusa 
and trust me....IT ALL WON'T BE WORTH IT.

4. Try to sleep

5. Wake up with stiff neck

I think I do know what was wrong though and I will try this again.  Because the Curl Enhancing Smoothie locks in moisture my hair took longer to dry, which means instead of the regular ole' 8 hours, I needed 16.

When I try it again I'll let you know how it goes.  On a positive note, it's been almost a week and my hair is soft and shiny.  The Curl Enhancing Smoothie is a welcomed addition unlike it's cousin
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But before I give you more details on that - reviews say that it works better with the Smoothie so I'll have to work them together before I pass final judgement.

#idontdodisclaimers

Hair Trials - Flexi Rods

So I tried a roller set and failed. Lmbo look at that 3rd pic... I look so hopeful lol.

I sat up for 2 hours or more...and on somewhat damp hair used my coconut oil and curl enhancing smoothie to tightly roll my hair onto flex - rods.  Anyone who's slept on these things know that it was a long night.

Following morning I woke up with a cramp neck and completely hopefully that this style would be on point. Again, look at that 3rd pic.  Lol on point it was not.

Normally I get upset because the my arms were about to give me the finger how tired they were.  But if you've been natural long enough you'll know when it fails you make something work.

It was ok.  Really, it was ok, sorta. And I didn't get too angry, kinda. But bay bay work was only about an hour and half away.  I doubt my manager would except this as a justified call in.  Imagine this

Ringgggg ringggggg 

Mr. ______: Morning.

Tia: "ummm Excuse me Mr. _____, pleasant good morning sir.  I can't make it into work today." Mr. _____ sir (ok so I don't talk to him like that w/e, my story)

Mr. ____: Okay Tia, is everything alright?  

Me: Oh everything isn't alright sir, I'm can't believe this. My hair didn't dry completely, and to be real it wasn't even that wet to begin with and I had to take out my flexi- rods and so now my hair is a mess.  My spiral curls looking more like a staircase. I'm a mess.  

Mr. _____: OH! Did you know we're downsizing.  

Me: On my way sir.  

I was cute nonetheless with my "hybrid pony" as Bae called it.

I did say, when all else fails, rock a puff - a pony is close enough.